Sara Gotham
Peer-to-peer recognition is all about employees celebrating each other’s hard work, whether it’s through a quick shout-out in a team meeting or an eCard on an employee experience platform.
While top-down recognition from managers is important for fostering belonging and motivation, peer recognition adds a sprinkle of camaraderie that makes everyone feel like a star. It’s this culture of appreciation that turns the workplace into a vibrant community where everyone’s efforts are openly valued.
Why peer-to-peer recognition matters for today’s workforce
The benefits of peer recognition are more significant now than they’ve ever been.
Organizations with effective recognition programs experience higher levels of employee engagement and overall morale. But a peer-to-peer recognition program also improves retention rates, enhances team collaboration and strengthens company culture.
Our recent research delved into recognition and found that 63% of employees would rather work for a company that has a culture where people were praised and thanked regularly, than for a company that paid 10% more but offered no recognition.
15 best practices for successful peer-to-peer recognition
1. Align with company values
Your recognition program should reflect your company’s core values to reinforce what is essential for your organization and encourage employees to live those values daily. Recognize the behaviors you want to see. For example, if teamwork is a core company value, recognize employees who go above and beyond to support their peers.
2. Encourage quick acknowledgements
Timeliness matters in recognition. Encourage employees to acknowledge each other as soon as they notice a job well done or a win achieved. The quicker the recognition is given, the more authentic and impactful it feels. A recognition platform (like ours!) allows for instantaneous recognition and the opportunity for other employees to react or leave a comment – and seeing someone else receive recognition can inspire other employees to send recognition as well.
3. Make participation inclusive
Ensure that the recognition program allows everyone in the organization to participate, regardless of role or seniority. This openness fosters a culture of appreciation where every voice can be heard and contributions recognized. Consider guidelines that empower all employees to recognize their peers.
4. Train leaders to model recognition
Leadership sets the tone in any organization. By training leaders to actively participate in your peer-to-peer recognition program, it encourages everyone else to do the same, fostering a more appreciative workplace.
5. Personalize messages
Personalizing recognition messages makes them more meaningful. Instead of generic praise, encourage employees to highlight specific contributions and qualities that made a difference. At Reward Gateway, we call it the AVI method – name the Action, explain its Value and clarify its Impact.
6. Make recognition visible
Visibility plays a key role in effective recognition. Use platforms that allow employees to easily see and celebrate their colleagues’ achievements. This shared recognition not only boosts the morale of the recognized individuals, but also inspires others to aim for similar acknowledgment.
7. Incorporate tangible rewards
While words of affirmation are important, tangible rewards can amplify the impact of recognition. Consider implementing a reward system where employees can earn points for recognizing others, which can then be redeemed for various rewards. This tangible aspect can motivate more employees to participate in the program.
At RGER, we have a variety of reward redemption options that your employees can access instantly, including Amazon, leading retailers and experience providers, charitable giving and much more to enable your people to select a reward that’s meaningful to them and their family.
8. Involve remote and hybrid staff
In an increasingly remote and hybrid world, it’s essential to include all team members in your recognition efforts. Create opportunities for virtual recognition events and establish guidelines that ensure remote employees can receive and give recognition just as easily as those in the office.
9. Reward cross-functional collaboration
Recognizing employees who collaborate across departments fosters unity and enhances team dynamics – it also fosters further cross-departmental collaboration, which is only good for the business. Acknowledge those who help break down silos by working with others, emphasizing the importance of teamwork within your organization.
10. Digitize with a peer-to-peer recognition platform
Leveraging technology is vital in today's workplace. Implementing a dedicated peer-to-peer recognition platform allows for streamlined and organized recognition efforts. It provides employees with a user-friendly space to shout out their peers, helping to maintain momentum and enthusiasm.
Use our platform to deploy one centralized solution for all recognition & rewards, but also to share your company’s news, reinforce your brand, showcase videos of what “great” looks like, provide leadership updates and more!
11. Request regular feedback from employees
To continually refine your recognition program, actively seek feedback from employees about what works and what doesn’t. Regularly asking for insights shows that you value their opinions and are committed to creating a recognition culture that resonates with everyone.
12. Refresh your strategy periodically
A recognition program should evolve alongside your organization. Periodically revisit your strategies and make adjustments based on feedback and changing dynamics. This flexibility ensures that your program remains effective and relevant. When you partner with RGER, your dedicated account team will help you craft a meaningful recognition strategy and a help you develop a program that is uniquely yours!
Build a culture of appreciation with Reward Gateway | Edenred’s peer-to-peer recognition platform
Investing in a robust peer recognition program can transform your workplace culture. By embracing and implementing these best practices, your organization can create an environment where appreciation flourishes and everyone feels both valued and connected. To take the next step in building a culture of appreciation, explore Reward Gateway’s peer-to-peer recognition platform and see how it can enhance your employee recognition initiatives. Let’s cultivate a work environment that celebrates achievements together.
If you you're interested in bringing a recognition & reward program to your company, or need help enhancing your existing program, schedule a meeting with one of our friendly employee experience experts today!
